THE WORLDSKILLS BARBADOS competition has been hailed as an excellent opportunity for young people to excel and demonstrate to potential employers that they are highly skilled, innovative, creative and have the correct attitude towards the world of work.
This assessment has come from Senator Harry Husbands, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Education, who addressed the closing ceremony of WorldSkills Barbados Competition 2014 on Monday.
WorldSkills was held under the theme: Shaping A World Class Workforce Through Innovation, Creativity And Skills Development.
Speaking at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) hall, Husbands hoped that the programme would be expanded to the secondary schools, not only to increase the number of institutions and competitors, but to encourage more young people to expose their skills.
He also said partnerships between business organisations and training institutions could be instrumental in the development of the programmes: technical assistance, seminar sponsorship, the upgrading of specific facilities and equipment, and 21st century technologies.
“I am confident that we have in Barbados a cadre of instructors and trainers who can train students to WorldSkills International standards,” he said.”
The top prize in the WorldSkills competition went to SJPP garment- making student Samantha Yearwood.
The top student in Automotive Technology was SJPP student Darius Shepherd, while Barbados Vocational Training Board’s (BVTB) Adisia Sargeant was victorious in Beauty Therapy.
Omari Lamming of the BVTB was best in Culinary Arts while SJPP’s Tahira Hurdle emerged winner in Ladies’ And Men’s Hairdressing.
Jessica Willoughby received a prize for the Best Student from Semaj International School of Cosmetology and Trichology, while Jevon Johnson was the Best Student representing the Barbados Community College. (LK)
